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Ohio State's Fields granted immediate eligibility to play in 2019

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Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields has been granted an immediate eligibility waiver by the NCAA, which will allow him to play for the Buckeyes in the upcoming season following his transfer from Georgia.

"I am happy for Justin and his family," Ohio State head coach Ryan Day said. "I also want to express my appreciation to the NCAA for its assistance in getting this matter resolved efficiently and with such a positive outcome for Justin."

The former five-star recruit left the Bulldogs in December after playing in a backup role as a freshman behind Jake Fromm.

Fields said Wednesday that Ohio State's history of producing NFL-ready players under center drew him to the program.

"Coach Day, he's been in the NFL. He knows what it takes to get quarterbacks to the NFL," Fields said, according to ESPN's Dan Murphy.

"I was just worried about the best place to develop me for the next level," Fields added. "That's the main thing I was looking for."

Fields will likely be the favorite to win a competition with redshirt freshman Matthew Baldwin for the right to succeed Heisman finalist Dwayne Haskins at Ohio State following the departure of Tate Martell to Miami.

The young passer impressed in limited action for Georgia in 2018, throwing for 328 yards and four touchdowns on 39 attempts while adding another 266 yards and four scores on the ground.

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